Читать книгу Othello: The 30-Minute Shakespeare - William Shakespeare - Страница 11

Cyprus. A hall in the castle.

Enter NARRATOR from stage rear, coming downstage center.

NARRATOR

We are now in Cyprus. Iago persuades Cassio to

drink too much, which is part of Iago’s devious plan

of action.

Exit NARRATOR stage left.

Enter OTHELLO and DESDEMONA from stage rear. Enter CASSIO from stage right.

OTHELLO (to CASSIO)

Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:

Good night.

Exit OTHELLO and DESDEMONA stage rear.

Enter IAGO from stage right, carrying a flask.

CASSIO

Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.

IAGO

Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; to the

health of black Othello.

CASSIO

Not to-night, good Iago: I have very poor and

unhappy brains for drinking.

IAGO

What, man! ’Tis a night of revels: the gallants

desire it.

CASSIO

I’ll do’t; but it dislikes me.

IAGO (steps downstage; addresses audience)

If I can fasten but one cup upon him,

He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense

As my young mistress’ dog.

Enter CASSIO, RODERIGO, MONTANO, and SOLDIERS from stage right, holding goblets.

CASSIO

To the health of our general!

ALL drink. CASSIO drinks quickly and refills his cup.

MONTANO

I am for it, lieutenant; and I’ll do you justice.

IAGO

O sweet England!

ALL (singing)

And let me the cannikin clink, clink

And let me the cannikin clink.

A soldier’s a man,

O man’s life’s but a span,

Why, then let a soldier drink

Why, then let a soldier drink!

IAGO

Some wine, ho!

CASSIO (pours more wine for himself)

Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

Do not think, gentlemen. I am drunk: this is my

ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left:

I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and

speak well enough.

Exit CASSIO stage left.

IAGO (aside, to RODERIGO)

How now, Roderigo!

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

Exit RODERIGO stage left.

RODERIGO (from offstage)

Help! Help!

Enter RODERIGO, chased by CASSIO.

CASSIO

’Zounds, you rogue! You rascal!

A knave teach me my duty! (strikes RODERIGO)

MONTANO

Nay, good lieutenant; I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

CASSIO

Let me go, sir, or I’ll knock you o’er the mazard.

MONTANO

Come, come, you’re drunk.

CASSIO

Drunk!

CASSIO and MONTANO fight; MONTANO is injured.

IAGO (aside, to RODERIGO)

Away, I say, go out; and cry a mutiny!

Exit RODERIGO stage rear.

SOUND OPERATOR plays Sound Cue #2 (“Ringing bell”).

Enter OTHELLO and DESDEMONA from stage rear.

OTHELLO

What is the matter here?

Are we turn’d Turks? Honest Iago,

Speak, who began this?

IAGO

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth

Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio;

But men are men; the best sometimes forget.

OTHELLO

I know, Iago,

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,

Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee;

But never more be officer of mine.

Exit OTHELLO and DESDEMONA stage rear. Exit ALL but IAGO and CASSIO stage right.

CASSIO (falls to his knees)

Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my

reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself,

and what remains is bestial.

IAGO (helps Cassio to his feet)

As I am an honest man, I’ll tell you what you shall

do. Our general’s wife is now the general: confess

yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you

in your place again.

CASSIO

You advise me well. In the morning I will beseech

the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me: Good

night, honest Iago.

Exit CASSIO stage right.

IAGO (walks downstage center, addressing audience)

Whiles this honest fool

Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,

And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,

I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear,

That she repeals him for her body’s lust;

So will I turn her virtue into pitch;

And out of her own goodness make the net

That shall enmesh them all.

Exit IAGO stage right.

STAGEHANDS remove table, then set two chairs, one stage right and one stage left, slightly facing each other.